Suez agrees to explore CCS for energy-to-waste plants

SUEZ will explore developing a modular system to capture carbon dioxide from energy-to-waste plants, with a demonstration project being considered for Teesside, UK.

The waste management and water firm has signed an agreement to explore the feasibility of a capture plant with BP, one of the partners pushing to develop a net zero industrial cluster in Teesside.

If the project moves ahead, Suez said it will develop a solvent-based modular system to capture carbon dioxide from energy-from-waste gas emissions. Once proved, it wants to apply the technology to its plants around the world, and sell it to other industrial emitters seeking to capture and store emissions.

The commercial-scale demonstration plant would operate at its Tees Valley facility at Haverton Hill on Teesside. The aim is to remove 90% of the carbon dioxide emitted from the energy-to-waste plant.

Andy Lane, Managing Director for Net Zero Teesside (NZT) said: “The project aligns closely with the strategic objectives of BP, the NZT project and with the UK Government’s net zero commitment, and is another demonstration of our commitment to work with local industry to help them decarbonise.”

Last month, BP joined Eni, Equinor, National Grid, Shell and Total in a partnership that will develop carbon dioxide transport and storage infrastructure to take emissions from industrial hubs in Teesside and the Humber and bury them offshore. If successful, the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) would enable the decarbonisation of 50% of UK industrial emissions.

The UK Government announced last week that it would provide funding to create two carbon capture clusters by the mid-2020s and another two by 2030. As well as Teesside and Humberside, other partnerships vying for support to develop net zero industrial clusters include projects in South Wales, North West England, and Scotland.